Self-policing air valve with back pressure control



1 Au 11, 1942. Q ENI R 2,292,373

SELF-POLICIING AIR VALVE WITH BACK PRESSURE CONTROL FiledJune 7, 1935INVENTOR illiom C. Groe gar 4 TTORNEY 7 adapted jalso air passage fromthe Patented Aug. 11, 1942 I UNITED STAT SELF-POLIIOING AIR VALVE wrrnPRESSURE CONTROL BACK N' William C. Groenlger, Columbus, Ohio, asslgnorto John B. Pierce Foundation, New York, N. Y., 4 a corporation of NewYork Application June 7, 1935, Serial No.25,476

. k Claims. My present invention relates to plumbing devices and moreparticularly toan automatic selfpolicing airvalve and back pressurecontrol device. 4

a My invention is particularly adapted for use in connection with watersupply ,systems from which water" is drawn for drinking. cooking and Qsanitary purposes, and in which water after having been drawn fromthemain supply riser will j supply pipe l3 with a flush valve M.

to the closet bowl I0 is one end of an elbow I5.

be prevented absolutely from ever returning into the main supply riser.Such a procedure is necessary and essential from a health and sanitarystandpoint, as it absolutely prevents the possibility of polluted wateror other fluid from being drawn into the main supply riser of the watersystem after having been withdrawn therefrom.

My present invention is illustrated in connection with'a closet bowl,but obviously such showing is illustrative only, and-theinvention is ifor use inv any similar situation where it is desire to prevent thereturn of water tc the supplymain of thewatersystem.

My invention may be incorporated as an integral part oi a control valve,or may be used as. an adjunct thereto," or in connection therewith,

andgwhenso used is attached-to the valve on the discharge side thereof.'By this arrangement a double check .on the return of water is -providedone forthe valve structure itself, and

i one for the automatic valve and back pressure control-deviceformingthe subject matter of the present invention. In my present inventionthere exists in the normal position of rest of the valveparts an openwater in the closet bowl to the valve and which passage is only to beclosed when the' water or other fluid flows through the automaticvalveinto the V closet bowl. I have therefore provided in my inventionadiaphragm valve member which cooperates with the member defining theopen passage above referred to, to close said passage at'all times whenwater isfiowing through the automatic valve from the main supply riserto areceptacle.

The object of my invention therefore is an improved self-policingautomatic valve and back pressure control device.

In the accompanying drawing, I Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a closetbowl atv tached to a water supply system and .with my inventioninterposed between two such elements. Fig. 2 is a'vertical sectionalelevation throu h an automatic air valve and back pressure controldevice according to my prevent invention.

, Fig. 3 is a sectional plan view on line 3-3 of Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is asectional plan view on line 4-4 of FIE-\Z and Fig.6 is a perspectiveview of a resilient valve I member.

Referring to the drawing, llldesignates a closet bowl positioned on thefloor of abuilding ad- Jacent to a wall H, and through whichwall extendsa horizontal pipe l2 connecting a main Secured '0f facets to be used inconnection with a wrench or other similar device.

Located below the body It is a cylindrical member 18 open at its upperend 19, and with the upper end l9 forming a valve seat. The cylindricalmember i8 is integrally attached to the body It by a plurality ofradially extending arms "20, thus giving rise to spaces or passages 20aserving as an air inlet. The lower end of the cylindrical member I8 isexternally threaded at 2i to receive a nut 22. The lower end of thecylindrical member i8 is recessed as shown to receive the upper end ofthe elbow l5. and such elbow when in position has associated therewith awasher 23 of resilient material which is forced into such association bymeans of'the nut 22.

On the interior of the body It at the lower ends of the threads ll isformed a seat-124; on which rests an annular ring 25. Resti ng on thering 25 is a resilient valve member 26. -Thi'sre silient valve member 26comprises a diskll'of resilient material such as rubber, having formedintegrally therewith and depending from thecentral portion thereof a cupshaped member 28. The cup-shaped member 28 is divided into two portionsby a slit 29, and formed integrally with each part is a lip member 30.

29, so that when the valve member 26 has all its elements in a positionof rest, the slit 29 and the abutting faces of the lips'30 are in closeassociation with each other.

Resting on the top face of the .disc 21 is a washer 3|, similar in allrespects to the washer 4 25 above described as being located under thedisc 21. Screwing into the threads l1 on the body 16 is the lowerthreaded end 32 of a member 33, such threaded member 32 engaging withthe washer 3| and forcing the same into close association with the disc21, to thereby hold such disc 21 firmly in position with respect to thebody [6. The member 33 has formed therein a cylindrical and taperedchamber 34, and at the lower end of such chamber 34 is arranged a valveseat 35, such valve seat being integrally secured to the member 33 by aplurality of radially extending arms 36. The upper end of the member 33is provided with a plurality of facets 31, so that a wrench may be usedto screw the lower threaded end 32 into association with thread 11. Alsothe upper end of the member 33- is internally threaded to receive thelower threaded end of a nipple or other water conducting member 38.

When in assembled position, as shown for example in Fig. 2, thehemispherical member 28 is positioned adjacent to the valve seat l9 atthe upper end of the cylindrical member l8, so that if water is flowingthrough the pipe 38, the chamber 34 and through the spaces between theradial arms 36 into the upper end of the hemispherical memer 28, thepressure of such water will force open the slit 23 and while flexing thedisk 21 to move the same and the upper surface of such hemisphericalmember 28 into engagement with the valve seat I9, thereby preventing anyleakage of water out through the spaces or air passages 20a between theradial arms 20. Also the valve seat member 35 is so positioned that if aback pressure is created in the pipe 38, or in any fixture that isconnected thereto, the slit 29 in the hemispherical member 28 will beclosed tightly, and the disc 21 will be flexed because of the resilientcharacter thereof, to thereby bring the upper surface of such disc 21into engagement with the valve seat 35. This latter action automaticallyprevents any water from passing upward through cylindrical member I8beyond the valve member 26 because of the seating of the disc 21 againstthe valve seat 35, and also prevents any injury to the hemisphericalmember 28. Collapsing of the hemispherical member 28 is preventedbecause of the engagement of the upper surface of the disc 21 with thevalve seat 35.

Should the hemispherical member 28 fail to function as above described,because of injury thereto, or to the lips 30, or for any other reason,back pressure in the main supply riser I3 may cause the Water in thecloset bowl to rise in the elbow I and a portion of such water will flowover the valve seat [9 through the spaces or air passages 20a betweenthe radially extending arms.

20 onto the floor of the room in which the device is located.

The presence of such water on the floor is a positive indication thatthe device is not functioning properly. An occupant of the building, orany other person observing the same will be apprised of the defectivecondition and will take the steps necessary to repair or replace thedefective parts. Such repair or replacement may be easily and quietlyeflected without radical disturbance of the installation.

With my improved device therefore, it is possibleto pass water from themain supply riser l3 through the flush valve l4 and into the eiiicatori0 and the water in the closet bowl under normal conditions is open tothe atmosphere because of the character of the association between valveseat is and hemispherical member 28. in device prohibits the return 01'any water which has passed through the valve 28 as upon a back pressureor vacuum being created in the space above the valve member 28 suchvalve member 23 will have its disc member 21 flexed so as to be broughtinto engagement with the valve disc 35 with the body member 33.

Any defect developing in the device is immediately made apparent, andthus my device is selfpolicing in character.

While I have necessarily shown and described the device embodying myinvention somewhat in detail, it is to be understood that I may vary thesize, shape and arrangement 01' parts comprising my device withinrelatively wide limits githout departing from the spirit or the inven- Iclaim:

1. In an improved automatic self-policing air valve and back pressurecontrol device, the combination of a valve body, a chamber therein, adiaphragm valve located in said chamber, a normally closed self-closingopening in said diaphragm valve and arranged to permit passage of fluidfrom the inlet through the chamber, and said normally closedself-closing opening automatically closing on the reduction 01' pressurein the passage to prevent return of fluid to the inlet passage.

2. In an improved automatic self-policing air valve and back pressurecontrol device, the combmation of a valve body, and entrance passagetherefor, an exit passage therefor at the end opposite the entrancepassage, said exit passage communicating with the atmosphere, a valveseat arranged in the body in axial alignment with the entrance and exitpassages, and a valve seat formed at the inner end of the exit passage,arranged parallel to, but spaced apart from. the first said valve seat,a resilient diaphragm valve provided with a normally closed selfclosingopening arranged in the body between the valve seats and cooperatingrespectively with the first said valve seat to prevent return of fluidthrough the body to the entrance passage, and permit passage of. fluidfrom the entrance passage to the exit passage without leakage of saidfluid to the outer atmosphere under normal conditions, and permittingleakage of fluid to the outer atmosphere upon failure of the diaphragmvalve to properly function.

3. In an improved automatic self-policing air valve and back pressurecontrol device,-the combination of a valve body, a chamberformedtherein, an entrance passage at one end or the body communicatingwith the chamber, an exit passage at the opposite end of the body andcommunicating with the chamber, a plurality of inwardly extending armslocated in the chamber, a valve seat supported by the said arms at theinner ends thereof, a valve seat formed at the inner end of the exitpassage and arranged parallel to, but spacedapart from the first saidvalve seat, and a resilient diaphragm valve provided with a normallyclosed sell-closing opening cooperating with the valve seats, saiddiaphragm valve engaging with the valve seat at the inner ends of theexit passage, and opening under '70 pressure of fluid to permit passageof fluid from the entrance passage through the body into the exitpassage, and cooperating with the first said' passage of the valve withrespect to thepressure within the exit passage thereof.

4. In an improved automatic 'self-policing-air valve and back pressurecontrol device, the combinationof a valve body, a hollow chamber formedtherein, an entrance passage at one end thereof communicating with thechamber, a centrally located valveseat in said chamber lying vsubstantially in the axis of the entrance passage and spaced apart fromthe periphery of the chamber, a resilient valve provided with a norberand seating on' the valve seat-under the influence of negative pressureof fluid in-the chamber, whereby passage of fluid from the chamber tothe entrance passage is'prevented, an exit passage communicating at itsinner end with the mally closed self-closing opening in said cham'-'chamber having a valve seat formed at its inner end and cooperating withthe resilient valve.

member, said resilient valve member seating on the valve seat-of theexit, passage and opening to permit'passage of fluid from the chamber tothe exit passage when positive pressure exists in the fluid passing fromthe entrance passage through the chamber.

5. In an improved automatic self-policing air valve and back pressurecontrol device, the combination of a valve body, a passage extendinglongitudinally .therethrough, a chamber formed in the body andconnecting at each end with said passage, a diaphragm valve memberarranged in the chamber and dividing the same into two parts and withthe lower part open to the atmosphere, whereby that portion of thepassage connecting with the'lower part of the the chamber, to therebyseal the air opening inthe portion of the passage connecting with thelower part of the chamber, said closed selfclosing opening in thediaphragm moving to open position to permit fluid to flow through thevalve body into the lower portion of the passage.

6. In a device of the class described, means providing a chamber havingfluid inlet and outlet seat to prevent communication with the outeratmosphere during fluid flow through said valve body and having self-closing means integral with said resilient valve whereby saidresilientvalve automatically closes in the circumstance of a negative pressureabove said valve seat to prevent reverse flow of fluid through saidvalve body while concomitantly aflording communication with the outeratmosphere.

8. In an improved automatic self-policingv air valve and back pressurecontrol device, the combination of a hollow body, an entrance'passagethereto, an exit passage therefrom, a valve seat located within thehollow body, a valve seat at the exit passage of the body lying parallelto but spaced apart from the first-named valve seat,]

passage means disposed about said second-named valve seat affordingcommunication betweenthe outer atmosphere and said exit passage, andresilient valve means disposed within said hollow body intermediate saidtwo valve seats, said valve means having a diaphragm movable into flowand an air inlet, a diaphragm within said chamber movable responsivelyto pressure differentials therein, said diaphragm carrying meansproviding a choke orifice, the parts being so arranged that pressureflow through said chamber closes communication between said air inletandsaid I fluid inlet and outlet and abnormal drop in pressure openscommunication with said air inlet and chokes back flow through saidorifice.

'1. In an improved automatic self-policing air valve and back pressurecontrol device, the combination of a valve body having a passageextending longitudinally therethrough. a valve seat located intermediatethe ends of the body and in the passage, air inlet means disposedexternally of said valve seat and afiording communication between thepassage of said valve body and the outer atmosphere, and a resilientvalve having a diaphragm cooperating with said valve sealingrelationship with one or the other of said valve seats and provided witha slit opening bounded by normally closed lips.

9. In an improved automatic self-policing air valve and back pressurecontrol device, the combination of a valve body defining a hollowchamber, an entrance passage at one end of the chamber, acentrally-locatedvalve seat in'said chamber and spaced apart from theentrance.

passage, a resilient diaphragm valve in said chamber and deflectableaxially to seat against said valve seat to prevent flow of fluid towardthe entrance passage, said valve further having opposed resilient lipmeans in mutual contact under the condition of absence of fluid flowthrough the valve, an exit passage at the end of the body opposite theentrance passage, said exit passage being intermediately located with respect to the contour of the body and spaced apart therefrom to providepassage means open to the atmosphere, and a valve seat formed at theinner end'of the exit passage and cooperating with the resilientdiaphragm valve to prevent escape. of fluid through said passage meansunder the condition of 'fluid flow through the body from the entrancepassage into the exit passage.

10. In animproved automatic self-policing air valve and back pressurecontrol device, the combination. of a hollow body, an entrance passagethereto, an exit passage therefrom, a valve seat at the-exit passage ofthe body, passage means disposed about said valve seat afiordingcommunication between the outer atmosphere and said exit passage, andresilient valve means disposed within said hollow body adjacent saidvalve seat. said valve means including a flexible disc for cooperationwith said valve seat to close said passage means under condition ofpositive pressure at the entrance passage of the valve and flexiblecoacting members normally in valve closing engagement and arranged to bemutually discomitantly restores communication between the atmosphere andsaid exit passage.

WILLIAM ,C. GROENIGER.

